To tightly integrate the structural engineering domain into the information management process.
Phase(s):
Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction Documents
Objective:
To develop analytical structural representation of a building model, document the information needed for the third party analysis application and integrate it with the structural design model. This aids unification of parties involved and reduces the chances of errors.
Description:
The use of BIM in structural analysis aims to bridge the information loss associated with delivering a project from the architectural design stage to the structural design stage. Architects and structural engineers are the ones at the top of the engineering food chain and they stand to benefit most from BIM. If the BIM project has to be made easily exchangeable between the architect and the structural engineer, it has to be on an interoperable platform for seamless information exchange. There are several software application that support BIM for structural analysis: ETABS/SAP, RAM Structural System/RAM Advanse, RISA, STAAD, ROBOT, etc (Khemlani, 2007). With BIM, the analytical and the building models are created simultaneously, thereby improving workflow and reducing the chances of error. Without BIM, individual models must be produced to front-end each type of structures analysis. Common complaint of structural firms is that their highly educated staff spends too much time transcribing information from one software package to another, configuring various analytical models for input into different analysis software applications, and then manually coordinating the analysis and design results with documentation (Revit and BIM, 2007). According to Israel et al. (2008), structural analysis using BIM data is considered to be a medium to long term goal. Integration of structural analysis with BIM would drastically improve documentation of design information and integrate the collaboration between the architects and the structural engineers.
Potential Benefits:
[_] Improved coordination and documentation of structural analyses and their impact on structural design, along with improved workflows: quality, accuracy and consistency
[_] Improved design and detailing productivity which would lead to time and cost reductions and increase in profit margin
[_] Decreased design time due to need to produce only one model instead of several in each design discipline
[_] Automatically tracking revisions and changes to the structure between project design team members
Levels of Detail Considerations:
Structure's intended use, type and size, loads, member sizes and material properties should be considered when modeling.
Team Competencies Required:
Knowledge of structural analysis, detailing, modeling software, materials, structural components’ sizes and properties.
Characteristics in order to substantiate BIM use:
Project - Complex involving multiple stories.
Organization - Engineering design firm with Information Technology initiative.
Environment - Willingness to embrace new technology and change.
Contract - The contractual terms are better implemented when the firm runs both architectural and engineering services.
Process - Design and build.
Potential Modeling Methods:
Communication amongst design team members.
The use of BIM modeling software.
Potential Outputs:
Structural model of the project.
Type of building materials and sizes.
Model can be used for cost estimates of materials and in planning of construction.
Legal/Commitment Considerations:
Liability Issue: Who would assume liability for inputting data or approving information that turns out to be incorrect?
Design Control: Who can change the model and how can quality control be done efficiently?
Accuracy and quality of the model can be affected by software glitches, bugs or interoperability errors. Software vendors typically limit liability for consequential damages and lost profits as a result of defects in their software, so the risk of using BIM falls right back on the user.
Kaner, I., S acks, R., Kassian, W., Quitt, T. (2008). Case Studies of BIM adoption for precast concrete design by mid-sized structural engineering firms. ITCon Vol. 13 , Pg. 303
Khemlani (2007). AECbytes: Building the Future (October 18, 2007).
Goal:
To tightly integrate the structural engineering domain into the information management process.Phase(s):
Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction DocumentsObjective:
To develop analytical structural representation of a building model, document the information needed for the third party analysis application and integrate it with the structural design model. This aids unification of parties involved and reduces the chances of errors.Description:
The use of BIM in structural analysis aims to bridge the information loss associated with delivering a project from the architectural design stage to the structural design stage. Architects and structural engineers are the ones at the top of the engineering food chain and they stand to benefit most from BIM. If the BIM project has to be made easily exchangeable between the architect and the structural engineer, it has to be on an interoperable platform for seamless information exchange. There are several software application that support BIM for structural analysis: ETABS/SAP, RAM Structural System/RAM Advanse, RISA, STAAD, ROBOT, etc (Khemlani, 2007). With BIM, the analytical and the building models are created simultaneously, thereby improving workflow and reducing the chances of error. Without BIM, individual models must be produced to front-end each type of structures analysis. Common complaint of structural firms is that their highly educated staff spends too much time transcribing information from one software package to another, configuring various analytical models for input into different analysis software applications, and then manually coordinating the analysis and design results with documentation (Revit and BIM, 2007). According to Israel et al. (2008), structural analysis using BIM data is considered to be a medium to long term goal. Integration of structural analysis with BIM would drastically improve documentation of design information and integrate the collaboration between the architects and the structural engineers.Potential Benefits:
[_] Improved coordination and documentation of structural analyses and their impact on structural design, along with improved workflows: quality, accuracy and consistency[_] Improved design and detailing productivity which would lead to time and cost reductions and increase in profit margin
[_] Decreased design time due to need to produce only one model instead of several in each design discipline
[_] Automatically tracking revisions and changes to the structure between project design team members
Levels of Detail Considerations:
Team Competencies Required:
Characteristics in order to substantiate BIM use:
Potential Modeling Methods:
Potential Outputs:
Legal/Commitment Considerations:
Additional Resources:
General Description:
Quantitative Studies:
Case Study Examples:
References:
Software Applications:
BIM authoring tools for structural modeling: Revit Structure, Bentley Structural, Tekla Structures, Archicad, AutoCAD Architecture (formerly ADT) and RAM CAD Studio.
Structural Analysis Software: ETABS/SAP, RAM Structural System/RAM Advanse, RISA, STAAD, ROBOT.
Detailing Software: SDS/2, Tekla Structures, ProSteel.
Collaboration Software: NavisWorks Jetstream, Interference Checking Tool in Revit Structure, Bentley Interference Manager, Tekla Structures conflict checker.
Other: Fabrication Software, Erection Software, Maintenance Software (Khemlani, 2007).